Exeter Chiefs Women face a monumental game in their history when they take on Gloucester-Hartpury Women on Saturday, 24th June at Kingsholm Stadium in the Allianz Premier 15s Final.
The game represents a battle between the two top sides in the division and it is guaranteed to be a fantastic showpiece event.
The Chiefs reached this stage after recovering from a 14-0 half-time deficit against Saracens to pinch a dramatic victory in the final minutes of the game.
Susie Appleby, head coach of the Exeter Chiefs Women, told the club website after that epic encounter: “We’re all excited for the final, of course we are.
“Getting to the final was a key objective and beating Sarries was the only way to do that. Right now, I think we all feel pretty exhausted because it was such a high-tension and physical game. The first half didn’t go quite to plan, but the important thing was we didn’t panic and just told the girls to keep the ball and put the pressure on them.
“In the second half, we did that and that’s what brought about the yellow cards for them, which we were then able to capitalise on. We started to play the rugby and that’s when the points started to flow for us.
“I can’t praise the girls enough. The fight and the desire they showed was unbelievable, but so too was the support we got from the stands. I’ve said it many times, they are like a 16th man and they definitely helped get us over the line. At times you couldn’t hear yourself think, but that’s what makes it so special.
“When I first came to the club, we had to build everything from the bottom up, including our fan base. To have over 4,000 people here, cheering our team, it shows not only the strides we’ve made as a club, but also the strides the women’s game is making generally.
“We know that on our day we’re capable of turning any side over in the league. It’s their first final, it’s our second final, we’re both from the Westcountry, so it should be an amazing occasion.”
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